With the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris fast approaching, the focus on cybersecurity has intensified. The increasing sophistication of malicious actors has prompted the adoption of advanced measures, particularly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), to safeguard the event against potential threats.
As the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris draws near, cybersecurity has emerged as a paramount concern for organizers. The COVID-delayed 2020 Tokyo Games showcased the potential for cyberattacks, prompting heightened vigilance in the lead-up to the upcoming event.
In an era where "bad actors" exploit increasingly sophisticated methods, the responsible use of AI presents an invaluable opportunity to counter these threats. AI's ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify malicious patterns plays a crucial role in safeguarding the Games.
Blackbird.AI, a leading provider of AI-based narrative intelligence, has developed Constellation, a platform designed to efficiently identify and mitigate disinformation narratives. Constellation analyzes narratives, assesses their risk level, and adds context, providing organizations with the clarity they need for informed decision-making.
According to Sarah Boutboul, an intelligence analyst at Blackbird.AI, "We have a platform called Constellation, our intelligence platform, where we can discover, analyze, investigate online conversations on any platform and [help determine] the risk that it poses. We look at the visibility of the narrative."
Narrative attacks, defined as assertions that have the potential to impose serious harm by "shaping perceptions about a person, place, or thing in the information ecosystem," can lead to significant financial losses and reputational damage.
Constellation's Dashboard provides a real-time view of narrative attacks as they scale and become harmful. Its multimodal capabilities, spanning text, images, and memes, and multilingual support enhance its threat detection capabilities.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes the importance of AI in safeguarding the Paris Olympics. Last month, the IOC released its AI plan, which includes using AI to identify talent, personalize training, and improve judging fairness.
"Today, we are making another step to ensure the uniqueness of the Olympic Games and the relevance of sport. To do this, we have to be leaders of change," said IOC President Thomas Bach. "We are determined to exploit the vast potential of AI in a responsible way."
The IOC's AI plans also include protecting athletes from online harassment and enhancing the viewing experience for television viewers.
Boutboul further notes, "The report focuses on the June and July 2023 time frames, and it's analyzing all kinds of online harmful conversation. The ones that would pose a high risk to the French government, to France in general, but also to the International Olympic Committee."
In 2021, President Emmanuel Macron established Viginum, the operational arm of the French government responsible for countering digital foreign interference. Viginum has focused its efforts on identifying and neutralizing foreign networks propagating disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining France's hosting of the Olympics.
The Summer Olympics will commence on July 26 and conclude on August 11. The deployment of advanced AI-powered cybersecurity measures is a testament to the organizers' commitment to ensuring a safe and secure event for athletes, spectators, and the global community.
